2 of 6Mazda sculpted the front end of the Mazda3 for better aerodynamic efficiency.

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3 of 6Mazdas have always handled well, and the 3 is no different.

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4 of 6The manual transmission is for those that desire a car that is more fun.

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5 of 6The interior of the Mazda3 is well built.

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6 of 6The new Skyactiv engine is focuses more on fuel economy, not power.

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: This Skyactiv stuff can be a real downer in the 2012 Mazda 3 -- unless you really put your foot into it, this car responds like a lead balloon. Give me a manual tranny and let me decide when I want to choose fuel economy over fun. It’s particularly sad considering the overall car is such a joy to fling around, and is such a perfect combination of sportiness and utility. I flipped the rear seats flat and picked up a ton of cargo room for the baseball team gear, but I could see where a family of four could fit reasonably and each have space for a suitcase in the rear cargo area.

Though the car feels well-built and steady on the road, there’s a bunch of road noise coming into the cabin at freeway speeds. Keep that in mind when you take your test drive, but don’t let one negative deter you from considering this little wonder-hatch.

Extra point: I like this car’s built-in blind spot detection system, which is unobtrusive but excellent. Not many cars at this price level are equipped with this helpful feature.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: The navigation was tough to see and tough to use. I figured out how to zoom in and out, but that’s about it. Luckily I knew where I was going, most of the weekend. Elsewhere in the interior, I really don’t have any complaints, except for the location of the door armrest. Personally I like them a bit higher, so I can rest my left elbow and steer the car, but the material was relatively soft. The seats are fine, I had no trouble getting comfortable, but I was surprised to the see the power adjustments on what is supposed to be cheap transportation.

The engine/trans combo is tuned for efficiency, and it really shows in the performance. If you put the pedal to the floor, or use the handy up-down on the shifter, you can get some velocity out of it. If our lead feet can average more than 30 mpg, that’s saying something. It has good torque converter lockup when using the manual function, especially when down-shifting. However, if you give it the boot, then switch over to manual mode, the trans can jump down a handful of gears, bringing the engine loudly to redline.

The Mazda 3 has always had above-average handling and steering feel and this Grand Touring 5-door model is no different. If you’re an enthusiast, take the manual transmission and call it a day.